The Bear is only one of our favorite bands with an upcoming release
With fall comes winter, of course. In literature this would foreshadow impending death or a tragic loss. Unless we were talking irony, which makes a lot of shit just not matter.
Speaking of irony, grab your ironic t-shirts Tuscaloosa, and get hip to these bands if you haven’t already. The good news about our upcoming fall and winter is the release of a lot of possibly great, upcoming, local/regional music, showing us that our fall and winter does not symbolize a death to our local and regional music.
Here’s some fine shit to look forward to hearing, and although the list probably isn’t comprehensive on what’s coming this fall and winter, it is certainly a welcome start.
Artist: Doc Dailey and Magnolia Devil
Album: Catch the Presidents
Release Date: September 2012
Notes: First out of the gate is Doc Dailey and Magnolia Devil. Dailey has released a few albums in his time with two EPs marking the beginning of his career. However, the well-deserved attention he achieved really started with the release of his official first full length, Victims, Enemies, & Old Friends. Catch the Presidents promises to be more of the same, but even possibly stronger, better. With help from the likes of members of The Bear, Pine Hill Haints, and Some Dark Holler, the album will feature songs never heard by Dailey’s audience and tunes that are well worn from the road. If you know Dailey’s mountain howl, you know you want this release, which also will be out on vinyl. Very promising.
Artist: The Bear
Album: Overseas Then Under
Release Date: Tentatively set for January 2013
Notes: Heavily rumored to deal with themes of oceans and death, The Bear’s sophomore album promises both depth and beauty, figuratively and literally. The Bear could have one of the most subtly eagerly anticipated albums coming. There are more tunes here that lean more toward straight pop with, of course, The Bear’s adept use of hushed vocals, gorgeous harmonies, and many instruments.
Artist: Callooh! Callay!
Album: Talk
Release Date: TBA
Notes: Callooh! Callay! have had interesting tenure amongst Tuscaloosa, some of which is documented here in Trey Irby’s article. Backing off playing Tuscaloosa as much as other artists are prone to do, getting to see them is almost a rarity and an quite the treat. Lead singer Morrow likes to treat their shows as events, and it shows. Their upcoming album, Talk, sounds as if it is going to be sonically rich, layered so that the listener will have a lot to listen for when it does finally come out. Until then, try to catch them live as some of the songs are beginning to be a staple in their shows. Here’s a tease, though, which makes me think that there could be a lot of Radiohead influence as seen through Southern America’s eyes.
Artist: Blaine Duncan & the Lookers
Album: When She Dies
Release Date: TBA
Notes: Very little is known about this possible album other than the title and the fact that Duncan did not record with his usual backing band, the Lookers. So, it’s hard to say and possibly too early to predict on whether or not this will even be a “Blaine Duncan & the Lookers” release. Said to be an EP, Duncan has also hinted that it could be released as a full length. One thing is known: it’s uncertain if this will even see the light of day as Duncan, not two years ago, recorded an over album’s worth of material that is still unreleased. Who knows if this one will stay shelved forever.
Artist: The Dexateens
Album: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Notes: This is probably the most shrouded in mystery. Thought to titled Songs About Meth and Shit, that seems to have changed according to certain sources. McPherson has even stated that he will not release any more recordings under the Dexateens moniker. So if you even knew about the possibility of a new Dexateens’ release, you knew that it was highly anticipated. Rumored to be an album with a sense of humor about itself and not for fans of the Black Keys, it does seem to be taking the shape of a double album. A Dexateens’ double album? Sign us up.
Any upcoming local/regional releases that I’ve missed? Let me know. Leave me a comment.